On Real Estate & More – June 2020

The business of real estate is still being conducted in Oregon, with some adjustments for everyone’s safety. Most work is being conducted from home offices as much as possible—within the provisions of the Governor’s orders and at the discretion of the Realtor and client.

Marketing & Showing Homes—Marketing properties remotely can be a bit of a challenge, but there are plenty of online solutions to get the word out without holding an open house, which are only being held virtually at this time. Virtual tours, video tours, Facebook advertising, YouTube videos, etc. are all options that are being utilized.

The important thing is to have an honest conversation with your agent about what you need to feel comfortable with the process. You will find real estate agents are working together to ensure that everyone stays safe. The following are protocols generally being utilized for showing properties:

  • Potential buyers need to fill out a COVID-19 health questionnaire prior to viewing a home.
  • Potential buyers and their agent need to maintain social distancing protocol at all times.
  • Digital signatures are being utilized if at all possible.
  • Showings are by appointment-only to regulate the number of people in a home.
  • Agents are encouraged to make sure their clients touch as little as possible and any areas touched (door handles, lights, etc.) are disinfected afterwards.

Buying A Home—Lucky you! You are buying a home at a time with excellent interest rates and the ability to do the bulk of your shopping from home. Your agent can send you properties that fit your criteria, and there is so much information about homes online these days that you can easily narrow your selection down to just a few. Once you’ve done that, it is helpful if you drive by the home first to make sure this really could be “the one.” At that point, your agent can make an appointment for you to see the house in person.  The following protocols are generally being followed prior to viewing properties:

  • You will fill out a COVID-19 health questionnaire.
  • Agent and clients are driving to view properties separately.
  • Agents are being asked to keep contact with all surfaces to a bare minimum and disinfect after touching.
  • When you’re ready to make an offer, digital signatures are being utilized when at all possible, so nothing needs to be done in person.

Separate from any concerns we all have about our health and the health of our loved ones—because as you read above, there are many solutions to stay safe—should you have anxiety about buying or selling right now? Each person has to make their own decisions about risk, but buying and selling always involves some amount of risk. Sellers will figure out pretty fast if they can get the price they want once they put their home on the market. Buyers’ main risk will be the possibility of job loss, but even then, protections are already being put in place to keep people from losing their homes.

If you want to buy a house, do it! Just do it safely. We can be prudent and still live our lives.